K. King

Warming-induced excess deaths of infected animals depend on pathogen kingdom and evolutionary history

This study shows that warming increases host mortality from infections, with bacterial pathogens causing more deaths than fungal ones, and effects depend on pathogen type and host-pathogen history.

A novel iPSC model reveals selective vulnerability of neurons in Multiple Sulfatase Deficiency

This paper creates an iPSC model of Multiple Sulfatase Deficiency, showing that neurons become more vulnerable to SUMF1 loss during differentiation.

Incomplete immunity in a natural animal-microbiota interaction boosts pathogen virulence

The paper shows that incomplete immunity from host microbiota selects for higher pathogen virulence in nematodes.

Activation of TnSmu1, an integrative and conjugative element, by an ImmR-like transcriptional regulator in Streptococcus mutans

This study identifies a regulatory module controlling TnSmu1 activation in Streptococcus mutans, showing its deleterious effects on bacterial physiology.

Coordinated modulation of multiple processes through phase variation of a c-di-GMP phosphodiesterase in Clostridioides difficile

This study shows that phase variation of the PdcB phosphodiesterase in C. difficile modulates intracellular c-di-GMP levels, affecting multiple phenotypes to enhance survival.

Hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells improve survival from sepsis by boosting immunomodulatory cells

This study shows that infusing hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs) into septic mice improves survival by increasing immunomodulatory cells, despite similar pathogen loads.

Cellular-level phenotyping of tumor-immune microenvironment (TiME) in patients in vivo reveals distinct inflammation and endothelial anergy signatures

The paper uses in vivo cellular-level imaging to phenotype tumor-immune microenvironments, identifying distinct inflammation and endothelial anergy signatures linked to immunotherapy response.

Invasive freshwater snails form novel microbial relationships

This study compares the microbiota of native and invasive freshwater snails, finding distinct microbial communities in invaders and suggesting novel symbioses form during invasion.

Evolution and maintenance of microbe-mediated protection under occasional pathogen infection

This study shows that rare pathogen infections drive the evolution of microbe-mediated protection in C. elegans, which provides transgenerational immunity during pathogen encounters.

Type I interferon responses to ischemic injury begin in the bone marrow of mice and humans and depend on Tet2, Nrf2, and Irf3

The paper shows type I interferon responses to ischemic injury start in the bone marrow of mice and humans, involving Tet2, Nrf2, and Irf3, and identifies ISG scores as a clinical biomarker.

Stringent Response Governs the Virulence and Oxidative Stress Resistance of Francisella tularensis

This study shows that the stringent response in Francisella tularensis enhances oxidative stress resistance by altering gene expression and increasing antioxidant enzyme production.